Association of Colleges
Success Stories: The Genesis Centre - Somerset College's Sustainable Star
Built on the recycled material from the demolition of a Dutch barn and the college’s 1970’s Metric building, it includes a series of earth, straw, timber and clay pavilions. The wall plasters are earth and lime, with llama or horsehair binding. The surfaces of these are either flax boarded, finished with non-toxic paints or polished with beeswax. Even the insulation is made from recycled materials, including newspaper, wood, and denim jeans.
Carbon emissions were considered when purchasing materials and employing specialists to work on the project. Local specialists were engaged in the construction, and materials were locally grown or sourced wherever possible.
The floor coverings are marmoleum (a natural product made from linseed oil, wood flour, rosin, limestone and jute) and carpet tiles made from recycled materials including car tyres.
The toilets incorporate systems for water conservation including waterless urinals and spray taps dispensing a mixture of air and water which wash your hands effectively with just 300cl of water. A polished vanity unit made of recycled yoghurt pots adds a finishing touch.
The local wildlife has moved into the rubble and sedum roofs and frogs took up residence in the sustainable urban drainage system before the first reeds were planted. As well as providing a habitat for wildlife the rubble and sedum roofs reduce the speed at which rainwater enters the watercourse.
The renewable energy systems include photovoltaic panels which provide electrical energy, and solar panels to heat water. Waste wood and wood dust from the college’s own carpentry and joinery workshops help fuel the biomass boiler.
From the outside, the building looks conventional, even concrete. But when you get inside you can see what it’s really made of. Far from conventional now, it aspires to be the convention of the future.
“Many, such as the planners and construction students who visit, are becoming inspired to think more sustainably about the way they work with buildings.” Ian Moore, Genesis Operations Director.
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